|
Post by grampa on Sept 25, 2017 8:56:13 GMT
Thoughts about their licence in London? - they don't operate where I am so no experience of them at all, but they do seem to attract a lot of bad press.
|
|
|
Post by michael on Sept 25, 2017 10:31:26 GMT
Never used them. I don't really know the ins and outs of it but there are going to be more and more disruptive technologies like this that will challenge established business. You can be flexible or protectionist, I don't think think London should champion the latter.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2017 10:35:04 GMT
It's more to do with how well/ethically they've been run than anything else, I think. Not that I know the ins and outs...
|
|
|
Post by michael on Sept 25, 2017 10:41:11 GMT
What are the ethical concerns?
|
|
|
Post by grampa on Sept 25, 2017 10:48:12 GMT
From what I'm aware it's more down to things like drivers not meeting requirements - things such as lack of medicals etc - there seems to be a lot of publicity about drivers being paid a pittance, i.e. well under minimum wage, hiding under the fact that they're self employed - does that work the other way? i.e. no cap on earnings for drivers who do well? - perhaps driver pay should also come into the licencing requirements
|
|
|
Post by michael on Sept 25, 2017 10:52:54 GMT
That sounds to me like the regulator needs to get its act together more than Uber.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2017 10:54:20 GMT
I think if you Google it you'll see a lot about the ex-CEO's behaviour. I'm not saying I know enough to know whether it's right or not, but the company's been controversial in this respect for a while.
|
|
|
Post by michael on Sept 25, 2017 10:58:33 GMT
How very Alan of you, "google it". The ex-CEO, 'ex' doing the work there, shouldn't impact on the decision to ban an operation now.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2017 11:01:54 GMT
The current CEO is still in the news about apologising for the company's failings. Don't liken me to Alan, or otherwise try to start any more personal unpleasantness - I'm not interested.
|
|
|
Post by michael on Sept 25, 2017 11:07:07 GMT
The current CEO is still in the news about apologising for the company's failings. Don't liken me to Alan, or otherwise try to start any more personal unpleasantness - I'm not interested. I'll liken you to Alan if I want. It's up to you if you take the joke as that or not. As for the individual who started the unpleasantness, thankfully he's gone and I'm glad about it.
|
|
|
Post by ChrisM on Sept 25, 2017 11:48:12 GMT
That sounds to me like the regulator needs to get its act together more than Uber. If they don't meet the regulations, and they have been warned about this but not acted, then they don't get their operating licence renewed. Simples. From what I have seen, yes it does appear that maybe the Regulator falls short too, however the Black Cabbies (and others) comply, so why not Uber as well ?
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Sept 25, 2017 12:09:29 GMT
That sounds to me like the regulator needs to get its act together more than Uber. If they don't meet the regulations, and they have been warned about this but not acted, then they don't get their operating licence renewed. Simples. From what I have seen, yes it does appear that maybe the Regulator falls short too, however the Black Cabbies (and others) comply, so why not Uber as well ? I do think TfL are being protectionist as they licence plenty of other minicab firms including some, such as Addison Lee that have been growing exponentially other the last few years. I think the Uber business model including practices such as insisting drivers are self employed to minimise their exposure to NI, pension rights and annual leave etc. Good for profits but given most drivers can't work elsewhere it's slightly questionable morally. I think they'll get their licence if not through improvements in their business practices then by taking TfL to court and being able to afford a better lawyer.
|
|
|
Post by Big Blue on Sept 25, 2017 13:22:29 GMT
I'm fairly certain that LTDA drivers are self employed. They too have access to APPs like GETT that act like Uber, so that aspect is really pissing in the wind. It's all to do with driver screening and reporting incidents. Some drivers are being passed fit to drive passengers without full checks as to whether they should have a lone female passenger in their car, and then when a passenger reports something bad to Uber it doesn't get dealt with but then there's plenty of anecdotal evidence of Black Cab drivers being serial attackers, taking dodgy routes to bump up fares etc. so this is more about jealousy as much as anything else on the part of the detractors.
There's also the issue of behavioural changes. Take Heathrow for example. Black cabs exclusively get to go up the cab rank where hoardes of tourists are waiting, or rather were. The cabs get charged a fee for going up the ramp, usually off set because the tourist wants to go to the West End or Windsor and coughs up £100+. It's fun to get in the cab and ask to be taken to Stockley Park: it costs the cabbie more than the fare. However in the modern world passengers are alighting from planes, calling an Uber and meet them at the set-down zone. Or they're happy for their mini-cab driver to meet them at the exit from security, wheel their trolley to the short term car park and charge them the extra £2-3 for parking. Black cab drivers are really not enjoying as many days on the golf course these days. Shame. They know their way about but they think that makes them better drivers: in reality they're just as shit as all the other car drivers in London.
The most amusing thing for many Europeans is that Uber have had their license to operate revoked as from 28th September (or whatever date) but they can continue to operate whilst they appeal, which could take years to reach resolution. In Many European countries they'd have their license revoked and they would cease to trade from the day of the revocation, especially if this was a decision from a high ranking official (like the Mayor). So Uber in London isn't really going anywhere: by the time the appeal is heard and a decision taken and any higher appeal completed they will have altered their business model to the extent that they comply with any regulation anyway.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2017 13:28:56 GMT
From this month's Focus:
Researchers at the Universities of Warwick and New York have discovered that some Uber drivers work together to ensure they're unavailable at certain times. That tricks Uber's billing algorithm so it switches to surge pricing, where the scarcity of drivers leads to passengers being charged more. The drivers log back on and get a bigger cut.
|
|
|
Post by Big Blue on Sept 25, 2017 13:35:16 GMT
From this month's Focus: Researchers at the Universities of Warwick and New York have discovered that some Uber drivers work together to ensure they're unavailable at certain times. That tricks Uber's billing algorithm so it switches to surge pricing, where the scarcity of drivers leads to passengers being charged more. The drivers log back on and get a bigger cut. Yes I was also aware of that. This means that Addison Lee and sometimes even GETT are cheaper, like Saturday morning at 1am or Sunday morning the same time.
|
|
|
Post by michael on Sept 25, 2017 13:42:15 GMT
So you're saying competition is the answer? Wonder why the Labour mayor wasn't keen...
|
|
|
Post by Big Blue on Sept 25, 2017 13:49:48 GMT
So you're saying competition is the answer? Wonder why the Labour mayor wasn't keen... Oh yeah: he's a waste of space compared to both his predecessors. I believe the political term is "lightweight".
|
|
|
Post by PG on Sept 25, 2017 13:50:36 GMT
I've never used Uber in London, but I've used them in Birmingham and the USA. In all cases the service was way better than the previous local taxi services.
Uber are generally loved by their users and hated by the established taxi operators - they are a classic disruptor business, breaking up cartels and closed shops that have operated before. The trouble is that they've done that in a too out there way in many cities - taking a combative line rather then a conciliatory one - and so have had licence issues. The new CEO seems to be much more level headed and probably recognises that if you are going to be a disruptor, better to be Apple than Ryanair.....
I wish uber operated where we live - all the local taxi firms are utter shit.
|
|
|
Post by grampa on Sept 25, 2017 15:43:32 GMT
In the days when I regularly used Taxis - almost exclusively for a night, the local firm we used we brilliant - I once (have had a few too many) even booked a taxi from the wrong restaurant - about 15 minutes later it dawned on me what I'd done and just as I was picking up the phone to apologise and arrange to rebook, in walks the taxi driver, "when you weren't there I guessed you might be here" - bet you wouldn't get that from an Uber driver!
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Sept 25, 2017 17:38:04 GMT
I often also wonder why people bother using black cabs around central London during the day. Traffic is often so bad that it's quicker, not to mention cheaper, to use the tube or even shanks pony!
I agree that it is the aggressive business approach that has caused most of the animosity towards them. Competition is a good thing and I don't think TfL have a problem with that. The debate about the current mayor is another matter altogether, I know a few Labour supporting Londoners who really miss Boris!
|
|
|
Post by Boxer6 on Sept 25, 2017 19:02:03 GMT
I often also wonder why people bother using black cabs around central London during the day. Traffic is often so bad that it's quicker, not to mention cheaper, to use the tube or even shanks pony! I agree that it is the aggressive business approach that has caused most of the animosity towards them. Competition is a good thing and I don't think TfL have a problem with that. The debate about the current mayor is another matter altogether, I know a few Labour supporting Londoners who really miss Boris! I suppose if he was still Mayor of London, he wouldn't be making a twat of himself on the world stage. As much. Or as often. Ho hum.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2017 10:13:56 GMT
Competition is a good thing Shirley, except when the opposition has the ear of politics.
|
|
|
Post by racingteatray on Sept 26, 2017 14:47:41 GMT
My firm has been hired to represent them in their appeal against TfL as it happens.
I do use Uber, but not much - mostly just for runs to/from Heathrow or the occasional trip home after a late night out. Far preferable to a black cab. I don't care greatly for black cabs - they are noisy and uncomfortable, the drivers are frequently arseholes in my experience who are not immune to taking the "long way round" and they cost a fortune. At least nowadays they've been forced to accept cards.
|
|
|
Post by grampa on Sept 26, 2017 15:36:54 GMT
I often also wonder why people bother using black cabs around central London during the day. Traffic is often so bad that it's quicker, not to mention cheaper, to use the tube or even shanks pony! Quite - I don't spend a lot of time in London, but I think I've only ever been in a black cab three or four times and one of those was the shortest possible journey when the kids were small as daughter no 2 was desperate to ride on a fold down seat in a Taxi. Last visit, we didn't even bother with the tube much - walking turns out not to be a lot slower if you just want to get around central London and the sights.
|
|
|
Post by PG on Sept 26, 2017 18:13:09 GMT
... Far preferable to a black cab. I don't care greatly for black cabs - they are noisy and uncomfortable, the drivers are frequently arseholes in my experience who are not immune to taking the "long way round" and they cost a fortune. At least nowadays they've been forced to accept cards. Indeed and only as a result of competition. Which all black cabs (like all monopolies) hate.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2017 8:02:16 GMT
Do they surcharge for it? I know some places still do, though I believe it'll become law (next month?) that this is no longer permitted.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2017 11:57:02 GMT
W
|
|
|
Post by racingteatray on Sept 29, 2017 12:43:11 GMT
We had a lucky escape the other night. We're on holiday in Croyde, Devon and went to Braunton for a night out and a pub quiz. When we walked in I thought it best that we booked the cab for the trip back there and then. Bloke behind the bar rang about 14 numbers for us and all of them (mostly one man bands) had taken the night off. We quickly ate dinner and then ran to catch the last bus back to Croyde, missing the quiz in the process. We'd have been fucked if I'd not asked early on, as there is no pavement between Braunton and Croyde. Being born and bred in a tiny country village, I am always amused by London friends who pride themselves on their car-free lives and then go to the countryside for the weekend by train and get terribly miffed by the absence of readily available taxis and the "once-on-Thursdays" bus service. They come back and say "how on earth do you cope"? Answer: "very easily - we have a car"!
|
|
|
Post by Roadsterstu on Sept 29, 2017 12:52:53 GMT
We had a lucky escape the other night. We're on holiday in Croyde, Devon and went to Braunton for a night out and a pub quiz. When we walked in I thought it best that we booked the cab for the trip back there and then. Bloke behind the bar rang about 14 numbers for us and all of them (mostly one man bands) had taken the night off. We quickly ate dinner and then ran to catch the last bus back to Croyde, missing the quiz in the process. We'd have been fucked if I'd not asked early on, as there is no pavement between Braunton and Croyde. Being born and bred in a tiny country village, I am always amused by London friends who pride themselves on their car-free lives and then go to the countryside for the weekend by train and get terribly miffed by the absence of readily available taxis and the "once-on-Thursdays" bus service. They come back and say "how on earth do you cope"? Answer: "very easily - we live in the real world and plan ahead"! FYP
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Sept 29, 2017 14:12:33 GMT
Living in a rural area myself Racing's post didn't need fixing. You really are buggered without a car. That's why so few people go out to the pubs round here, you can't get back!
|
|